Ridgefield wants cops to live there

Council introduces ordinance for new hires

RIDGEFIELD - The Borough Council is moving toward passing a residency requirement for new police officers.

The council introduced an ordinance this week that would require anyone who is appointed a police officer to live in town and remain a resident for three years after starting work in that post.

Councilman Javier Acosta, who supports the change, said that he didn't think it would limit the number of applicants for any open positions.

"It's the taxpayer paying you, and you should live in town," Acosta said Tuesday. "If you want to become a cop in Ridgefield, you will do what has to be done."

The ordinance, introduced on Monday, would add a paragraph to the existing qualifications for appointments to the police department. The ordinance does not set a specific timeframe for how long a candidate must be a resident before submitting an application.

Capt. Thomas Besser, public information officer for the department, declined comment and referred questions to Police Chief James Gallagher, who did not return calls for comment.

Residency requirements have posed legal issues for some towns in New Jersey in the past. In 1989, 25 towns entered into consent decrees with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, after it threatened to sue or sued them because of residency requirements. The NAACP argued that the requirement prevented departments from being diversified.

Currently, anyone who is appointed a police officer in Ridgefield must be a U.S. citizen and have a valid driver's license, and be mentally and physically cleared to do the job, according to the existing ordinance.

Those applying for a police officer's position must also meet one of the following: have a bachelor's degree; have served in the U.S. military for three years and received an honorable discharge, except for those in the reserves who must have served in a war or more than 180 consecutive days other than training; or have four years experience as a police officer or a special police officer.

Acosta said that police department appointees usually serve as special police officers.

There are currently 16 special police officers in the department, all who go through special training at the police academy. Special officers are able to issue summonses and are assigned to park and high school sporting events, Besser said. They do not carry firearms, but are certified in using a baton.

Besser said he could not say how many of the special police officers reside out of town.

The ordinance has the support from GOP Councilman Angus Todd, one of two Republicans on the council.

"I always thought it should be through merit, it's probably better if they come from town, they know the town, so I don't object to it," he said.

A public hearing and final vote on the ordinance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at the borough's next council meeting.